Issue No: 77
29th April 2011
25th Jamadi al Ula A.H
Salamun alaykum,
Day for the future king and queen:
As the 21st century Royal wedding of a future king and queen is solemnized today at the Westminster Abbey with all the accompanying pomp and pageantry we wish them well.
By the end of the day the frenzy of excitement in UK will draw to a close and lives will return to normal. However in U.K. and throughout most of the countries of the world, tomorrow the 1st of May will be another day of celebrations.
Tomorrow: It’s day for the workers:
May day - the 1st of May is observed as International Workers' Day or Labour Day. This is to commemorate the victory of the struggle by workers to safeguard their rights including fight for the ‘eight hour day’.
What happens?
On this day the social and economic achievements of the workers and International Labour movement is celebrated. Commonly one sees organized street demonstrations including parades, floats, shows and other labour-oriented events staged by millions of working people throughout most of the countries of the world. In Bermuda, Canada and the United States Labour day is celebrated on the first Monday of September.
Celebration of work in Islam:
“And I have not created the Jinn and Men except that they should serve (ibadah) Me” Sura Adh Dhaariyat 51:56
The above verse in holy Quran outlines the purpose of our creation. It is ibadah:- to serve Allah. In addition to fulfilling the various devotional deeds such as salat, sawm, haj, khums, zakat etc which we commonly understand as Ibadah, to make efforts of going to work so as to earn a lawful livelihood is also a deed of ibadah
When a worker makes effort to earn a lawful livelihood to meet his needs and of his family, this is celebrated as being in service to Allah SWT. One is considered to be in state of ibadah : worship and duly rewarded.
What is the reward of work?
In the words of our eighth holy Imam Ali Ridha a.s. work is considered to be superior than the Jihad in the path of Allah.
This is an indication of the reward being greater than the reward for a mujahid- one who performs Jihad.
As we take a break to enjoy the bank holiday let us observe the forthcoming Labour Day /May Day with gratefulness to Allah SWT for blessing us with the good health to undertake this great ibadah of work.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
Fazle Abbas Datoo
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat